U.S. patent application number 14/722542 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-01 for fixation adapter for handlebar.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sensata Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Benjamin Russ, Michael Stoffers.
Application Number | 20160347396 14/722542 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56081341 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160347396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Russ; Benjamin ; et
al. |
December 1, 2016 |
FIXATION ADAPTER FOR HANDLEBAR
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a fixation adapter for a handlebar. An
apparatus includes a fixation adapter mounted on a handlebar, the
fixation adapter including a body having a pin on a bottom surface
to secure the body to the handlebar and a latch on a top surface to
fixedly lock to a control unit housing, and the control unit
housing slidably mounted to the fixation adapter, the control unit
housing including a mounting area for mating to the latch of
fixation adapter.
Inventors: |
Russ; Benjamin; (Berlin,
DE) ; Stoffers; Michael; (Berlin, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sensata Technologies, Inc. |
Attleboro |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56081341 |
Appl. No.: |
14/722542 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 11/00 20130101;
B62J 99/00 20130101; B62K 11/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62K 11/14 20060101
B62K011/14 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a fixation adapter mounted on a
handlebar, the fixation adapter comprising a body having a pin on a
bottom surface to secure the body to the handlebar and a latch on a
top surface to fixedly lock to a control unit housing; and the
control unit housing slidably mounted to the fixation adapter, the
control unit housing comprising a mounting area for mating to the
latch of the fixation adapter, the control unit housing further
comprising two half shells fixedly joined together with screws or
snapped together.
2-8. (canceled)
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control unit housing
further comprises: a vibration damper; an internal printed circuit
board (PCB); and a plurality of operating switches protruding from
the control unit housing, each of the plurality of switches linked
to the internal PCB for operation of various electric parts.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of switches for
operation of various electric parts at least include an optical
axis changeover switch for a headlight, a horn switch and a turn
signal switch.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the vibration damper is
positioned against an outer surface of the handlebar.
12. A method comprising: securing a fixation adapter to a
handlebar, the fixation adapter comprising a body having a pin on a
bottom surface to secure the body to the handlebar and a latch on a
top surface to fixedly lock to a control unit housing; securing two
half shells of the control unit housing together; and sliding the
control unit housing along the handlebar to mate with the fixation
adapter, the control unit housing comprising a mounting area for
mating to the latch of the fixation adapter. the control unit
housing further comprising: a vibration damper: an internal printed
circuit board (PCB); and a plurality of operating switches
protruding from the control unit housing, each of the plurality of
switches linked to the internal PCB for operation of various
electric parts.
13-17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the plurality of switches for
operation of various electric parts at least include an optical
axis changeover switch for a headlight, a horn switch and a turn
signal switch.
19. The method of claim 12 wherein the vibration damper is
positioned against an outer surface of the handlebar.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to adapters, and more
specifically to a fixation adapter for a handlebar.
[0002] In general, control units contained within a metal or
plastic housing are often mounted and clamped to bars using a
screwed metal bracket and used for a number of different
applications, such as motorcycle controls on a handlebar,
snowmobile controls on a handle bar, tricycle controls on a
handlebar, agricultural equipment controls on a handlebar, and so
forth. For example, a control units within a housing mounted on a
motorcycle handlebar may contain controls to enable an occupant of
a motorcycle to turn on or off a headlight, turn signals, and/or
perform related operations with his or her hands left on the
handlebar.
[0003] One disadvantage of this type of mounting onto a handlebar
is that space is needed for the clamp and securing screws. In
addition, sensitive internal components within the housing may be
subject to deformation that is dependent upon the tension caused by
clap screwing (e.g., over tightening with a screw driver), which
may effect a haptic of buttons and/or rockers, for example,
contained on the housing.
[0004] What is needed is a simple fixation adapter that optimizes
internal space and realizes a quick solid mounting without the need
of tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The following presents a simplified summary of the
innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview
of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or
critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the
invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the
invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0006] The present invention provides methods and apparatus for a
fixation adapter for a handlebar.
[0007] In an aspect, the invention features an apparatus including
a fixation adapter mounted on a handlebar, the fixation adapter
including a body having a pin on a bottom surface to secure the
body to the handlebar and a latch on a top surface to fixedly lock
to a control unit housing, and the control unit housing slidably
mounted to the fixation adapter, the control unit housing including
a mounting area for mating to the latch of fixation adapter.
[0008] In another aspect, the invention features a method including
securing a fixation adapter to a handlebar, the fixation adapter
including a body having a pin on a bottom surface to secure the
body to the handlebar and a latch on a top surface to fixedly lock
to a control unit housing, securing two half shells of the control
unit housing around the handlebar, and sliding the control unit
housing along the handlebar to mate with the fixation adapter, the
control unit housing including a mounting area for mating to the
latch of fixation adapter.
[0009] Embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the
following advantages.
[0010] Use of a fixation adapter in conjunction with a control unit
housing optimizes useable space within the control unit housing and
enables a quick solid mounting of the control unit housing on to
the handlebar without tools.
[0011] Optimizing useable space within the control unit housing
enables the positioning of extra switch functions or conductor
board without increasing an overall size of the control unit
housing.
[0012] Use of a fixation adapter in conjunction with a control unit
housing enables assembly and assembly of the control unit housing
and its components before customer delivery.
[0013] These and other features and advantages will be apparent
from a reading of the following detailed description and a review
of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects
as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to
the detailed description, in conjunction with the following
figures, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1A is an illustration of a top portion of an exemplary
fixation adapter.
[0016] FIG. 1B is an illustration of a bottom portion of the
exemplary fixation adapter of FIG. 1A.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an illustration of two shell parts of an assembled
control unit housing.
[0018] FIG. 3A is an illustration of an assembled control unit
housing and fixation adapter mounted on a handlebar.
[0019] FIG. 3B is an illustration of a front prospective of one of
the two shell parts of the control unit housing of FIG. 3A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The subject innovation is now described with reference to
the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to
like elements throughout. In the following description, for
purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form
in order to facilitate describing the present invention.
[0021] In the description below, the term "or" is intended to mean
an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless
specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is
intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, if X employs A, X employs B, or X employs both A and B, then "X
employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
Moreover, articles "a" and "an" as used in the subject
specification and annexed drawings should generally be construed to
mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context
to be directed to a singular form.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1A, an exemplary fixation adapter 10
includes a top portion 20. The top portion 20 is shaped in a
contour fashion to match a diameter of a round handlebar (not
shown) and includes a pin 30. The pin 30 is a small projection in
the top portion 20. The pin 30 fits into a corresponding hole in
the round handlebar (not shown), which is used to secure the
fixation adapter 10 to the handlebar. In embodiments, the fixation
adapter 10 may be constructed of a metal or a polymeric material,
such as plastic.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1B, the fixation adapter 10 also includes a
bottom portion 50. The bottom portion 50 include a channel 60
containing a latch 70. The latch 70 is capable of being depressed
within the channel 60 and rebound. More specifically, the latch 70
depresses when a control unit housing is slid along the handlebar
over the latch 70 and the latch 70 rebounds and locks into place in
a corresponding mounting area of the control unit housing, more
fully described below.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary assembled control unit
housing 100 includes two shell parts 110, 120. The two shell parts
110, 120 are secured together with, for example, one or more
screws, and placed around a handlebar. Once screwed together, a
vibration damper 130 rests against the handlebar. In an embodiment,
the vibration damper 130 is constructed from rubber. In an
embodiment, the two shell parts 110, 120 include one or more
switches 140, 150, 160. The one or more switches 140, 150, 160 may
be used for operation of various electric parts, such as, for
example, a headlight, a horn and/or a turn signal.
[0025] In embodiments, contained within the assembled control unit
housing 100 may be an inner carrier housing a printed circuit board
(PCB) for connection to the one or more switches 140, 150, 160.
[0026] The control unit housing 100 also includes a mounting area
170. The mounting area 170 has a geometry that matches a geometry
of the bottom portion 50 of the fixation adapter 10 such they may
be joined together, more fully described below.
[0027] In embodiments, the control unit housing 100 and/or one or
more switches 140, 150, 160 are constructed from metal or polymeric
material, such as plastic.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3A, a shell part 200 and a shell part 210
are secured together to form an assembled control housing 230. A
bottom portion 240 of a fixation adapter 250 is secured to the
handlebar 220. The assembled control housing 230 is slid or moved
along a handlebar 220 until positioned over the fixation adapter
250, which locks the assembled control housing 230 onto the
handlebar 220 and prevents it from rotated around the handlebar 220
or moving along the handlebar.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3B, a cross section of the assembled
control housing 230 illustrates its attachment to fixation adapter
250. More particularly, a pin 300 of the fixation adapter 250 fits
into a corresponding hole 310 in the handlebar 220. When the
control unit housing 230 is moved over the fixation adapter 250, a
latch 340 on the fixation adapter 250 depresses and then rebounds
when it mates with a mounting area 330 of the control unit housing
230, locking the control unit housing 230 to the fixation adapter
250.
[0030] In summary, the fixation adapter 250 realizes a non-positive
connection between the control unit housing 230 and the handlebar
220. The fixation adapter 250 is positioned inside the control unit
housing 230 by its outer shape and is locked by the latch 340. A
connection between the handlebar 220 and the fixation adapter 250
is implemented by the pin 300.
[0031] In an embodiment, the control unit housing 230 my be removed
from the handlebar 220 by releasing the latch 340 from the mounting
area 330 by placing using a tool (not shown) into the channel 60
(in FIG. 1B).
[0032] Some embodiments may be described using the expression "one
embodiment" or "an embodiment" along with their derivatives. These
terms mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least
one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment"
in various places in the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment.
[0033] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the
appended claims. Such variations are intended to be covered by the
scope of this present application. As such, the foregoing
description of embodiments of the present application is not
intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations to the invention
are presented in the following claims.
* * * * *